“It’s been pretty crazy,” ASU transfer QB Sam Leavitt said on his last year’s journey, and that’s a massive understatement. Why? Last season, he plunged into Kenny Dillingham’s intense rebuild and thrived. No one batted an eye when he debuted in Arizona—fresh off redshirting after just four games at Michigan State—but he didn’t just play; he dominated. A whirlwind season later, ASU roared to an 11-2 record and a Big 12 championship in their debut season. Now? Heisman buzz surrounds Leavitt, and NFL scouts are swarming. Is he already one of ASU’s all-time greats? The desert certainly is buzzing.

And why wouldn’t it? Sam Leavitt took the entire program on his shoulders last season. Completed 216 out of 350 passes for 2,885 yards and 24 TDs with just 6 interceptions, and also rushed for 443 yards and added 5 TDs. So, his hype is not fluff. Even Leavitt feels nothing but a sense of gratitude over his national craze. “It’s what I’ve dreamt of since day one, and I believed in myself,” Leavitt said. “But to see it on the national scale and to see people really recognize it—people I didn’t know growing up or anything like that—it’s really cool to see. It gives me more motivation, and I want to work even harder.”

But that recognition just went a step further when PFF College declared him “#2 Returning Quarterback for the 2025 Season” on X. And analyst Max Chadwick wasted no time in laying out the reasons why he is at no. 2. “At number two, though, is Sam Levitt from Arizona State, and he was shockingly good this past year. Sam Levitt, as a redshirt freshman, had an 89.1 overall grade, ninth among all quarterbacks in the country,” Chadwick said. “Only power four quarterback with 80-plus grades and both a passer and as a runner, only a 1.1% turnover worthy play rate. That was the fourth among all quarterbacks in America, and yet, 34 broken tackles as a runner.”

Chadwick didn’t just stop there; he doubled down on Sam Leavitt with another word of praise. “Cam Skettebo is gone now; he’s still Jordan Tyson, one of the best receivers in the country. That pairing, I think, right there, is the best quarterback-wide receiver pairing we have in college football, Sam Levitt, man. He showed up at the Texas game especially; he’s an electric quarterback. He makes some plays out of structure that are very, very special. I like him a lot.” Well, everyone knows replacing Cam Skattebo won’t be easy, but Kanye Udoh seems up to the task. Last season’s 1,117 rushing yards, 179 carries, and 10 touchdowns speak for themselves.

Don’t overlook Kyson Brown, though; he’s quietly impressive with 351 yards, 73 carries, and 2 touchdowns. However, the real key to this offense is Sam Leavitt. As Chadwick noted, Leavitt delivered against Texas—and he wasn’t kidding. He didn’t throw a touchdown, but his 13 rushes for 60 yards, including a crucial 16-yard scramble on 3rd and 14 in overtime, tell a different story.

The best part is that, out of all, Kenny Dillingham has full faith in his starting QB. “His ability to get the ball out fast, to get the ball out in rhythm, and to throw the quick game is going to be a weapon for him,” Dillingham said. “Sam’s athletic, so the first thing you do to an athletic quarterback is you spy on him, or you bring twist games to contain him. Well, if you bring spies, you can throw the ball vertically.” That’s certainly true. Remember his amazing game against Iowa State? He stayed calm and performed exceptionally well, completing 12 of 17 passes for 3 touchdowns. But with all this shine and glory comes an unsaid pressure, too.

Kenny Dillingham’s honest take on Sam Levitt’s situation

Sam Leavitt arrived at Arizona State with a chip on his shoulder and sky-high ambitions. “I’m trying to prove I’m the best quarterback on the field,  he declared, a statement fueled by unwavering determination. That ambition paid off, as he became the team’s second-leading rusher with 443 yards and five touchdowns. Dillingham’s gamble yielded a satisfying result, but with year two approaching, the real challenge begins. However, inconsistencies hampered his progress. Against Texas, he faced relentless pressure, completing just 24 of 46 passes for 222 yards and no touchdowns.

But he became a big name overnight after that. Sam Leavitt not only overcame a rough start but dominated defenses, consistently scoring and even prompting Heisman whispers among analysts watching ASU highlights. But fame has its price. With intense media scrutiny and soaring expectations, Leavitt now carries more than just the team – he carries a legacy. Coach Dillingham, understanding the pressure, shared this advice: “Well, maybe I’m not the best blank, but you know what I’m going to make up for that, watch this guy hedge off screens. Well, watch this lob. Watch this bounce pass,” said the ASU coach, “like I’m going to make it up, yeah, and if you don’t have that mindset that you’re going to find a way to be the best.” This, he stressed, is the mentality ASU must embrace.

Kenny Dillingham eschews flashy interviews and pregame theatrics. He seeks players who lead fiercely, yet quietly—like Sam. His praise for the quarterback is measured yet confident. “If you don’t have that mindset that you’re going to find a way to be the best, what are we doing! I don’t want to coach that guy,” Dillingham stressed, setting a high standard. “I want to coach the guy that I say like, ‘Settle down.’ Not the guy that I’m like. ‘Come on, buddy, you can’t say that.” This sets a clear expectation: rise to lead, or step aside.

Sam’s talent and composure helped ASU overcome adversity last season, but sustained success requires growth. His dynamic plays must be complemented by improved decision-making, refined footwork, and emotional control. Dillingham’s coaching will challenge, not coddle him. While the offense hinges on Sam’s talent, subtle details—pre-snap reads, ball security, pocket presence—will determine if he converts potential into lasting success.